February 2006 Information for Listeners The following phone numbers and addresses are included in this month's programming. Please use this sheet, as a handy reference should any of our listeners contact your station seeking information mentioned on the air. For general information on State Parks or 1-800-792-1112 Texas Parks & Wildlife Programs For State Park reservations 512-389-8900 TPWD Internet Homepage http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us February 1 -- Valentine's at Landmark Inn: Want to really celebrate Valentine's Day, but just one day is not enough? Landmark Inn is offering a deluxe romantic Valentine's package on any February weekend for those who enjoy being pampered. Telephone reservations are required by calling 830-931-2133. Package price from $315 to $389/couple, plus tax. February 2 -- Artificial Reefs: An artificial reef is marine habitat that has been created by man and placed on the ocean bottom for the benefit of marine life. And Texas Parks and Wildlife has been working with its partners to create artificial reef environments in the Gulf of Mexico to improve sport fishing, as well as recreational diving. This program was made possible by a grant from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration program. February 3 -- Texas Clipper: The old Texas Clipper, which for years ferried students from Texas A&M at Galveston around the world, will be sunk off the coast of South Padre Island this summer. The 61-year-old ship will be used as an artificial reef to attract fish, divers and fishermen. This program was made possible by a grant from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration program. February 6, 7 & 8 -- 400th Sharelunker: A sharelunker is a largemouth bass that weighs 13 pounds or more, and legally caught from private waters and public waters within the state of Texas. And the anticipation grows as the program administrators wait for a generous bass angler to donate the 400th fish. Whoever donates the 400th certified fish caught legally in Texas waters, will receive a great package of cash and prizes. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/tffc/budsharelunker/ This program was made possible by a grant from the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration program. February 9 -- Outdoor Stories: Terri McDonald's Matagorda Island: We're asking listeners to contact Passport to Texas with their stories about their favorite state parks, historic sites, wildlife management and state natural areas. This month we got a call from Terri McDonald of Rockport. She told us about her love of Matagorda Island WMA. She heard about Outdoor Stories by listening to Passport affiliate TexMix, 98.7 in Victoria. Have interested listeners call me, Cecilia Nasti at 512-389-4667. February 10 -- Mountain Biking: Mountain biking is a great sport to enjoy for health, recreation and photography. Photography? Find out when you listen to the show. Texas Parks and Wildlife offers and brochure listing 48 state parks with bike trails as well as their degree of difficulty. You can find it online by logging onto: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/parkguide/?page=bike&lang=en February 13, 14 & 15 -- Recreational Landowners: As our population becomes more urban, we see people buying rural property as weekend retreats. Recreational buying is the greatest motivation for exchanges in land in Texas, and these recreational landowners can benefit from free technical assistance from Texas Parks and Wildlife. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/landwater/land/private/ This program was made possible by a grant from the Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration program. February 16 -- March Magazine Preview: The March issue is going to be an issue that everyone will want to keep in their car, because it's going to feature fifty outdoor adventures. Five of the magazine's top writers pick out ten of their favorite outdoor adventures. There's something for any skill level, no matter where you live in Texas. http://www.tpwmagazine.com/ February 17 -- Rock Climbing: This sport isn't for everyone, but it's captured the imagination and daring of quite a few Texans. Four Texas state parks offer rock climbing: Enchanted Rock, north of Fredericksburg, Hueco Tanks, just north of El Paso, Caprock Canyons southeast of Amarillo and Lake Mineral Wells. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/activities/outdoor_recreation/climb/ February 20 -- Passport to Texas Legacies: Ted Eubanks: Ted Eubanks -- founder Fermata, Inc -- an Austin business that develops historical and nature tourism plans and trips -- negotiates with private landowners for access to their property to ensure the state's growing urban population has a chance for a relationship with nature and the outdoors. This program was produced in cooperation with the Conservation History Association of Texas, www.texaslegacy.org February 21, 22 &23 -- Texas Off Highway Vehicle Program : If you're one of the rapidly increasing numbers of Texas citizens who recreate using Off-Highway Vehicles (OHV), dirt-bikes, ATV's and 4 X 4 trucks, finding a place to enjoy your sport is even more difficult. Very little of the public land in Texas is open to OHV recreation. We discuss this issue and learn about what's been done to rectify it. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/newsmedia/releases/?req=20051107d February 24 -- Making a Turkey Call: Calling all turkey hunters ... with spring turkey season drawing near ... it's time to talk turkey - more accurately - talk like a turkey. And all it takes to summon your targets is a little creativity. In this program we talk about making a turkey call from a 35mm film canister. You can find directions for a similar call on the National Wild Turkey Federation web site: http://www.nwtf.org/tips_adventures/tips.php?id=10012 February 27 -- Texas Independence Day Celebration: The birthplace of Texas The 170th anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence will be commemorated during a free two-day festival, March 4-5, 2006 at Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site. This celebration brings to life the Republic of Texas era. The festival will be held from 10am until 5pm. each day. Featured performers on Sunday include: Ray Wiley Hubbard, Gary P. Nunn, and Rusty Weir. Directions and more information are available online at www.birplaceofTexas.com or by calling 936-878-2214. February 28 -- Colonel William Gray: Colonel William Fairfax Gray came to Texas, from Virginia in 1835. His main purpose was to secure land investments, but a year later his presence in the state would help document one of the most important events in our history -- the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/washington_on_the_brazos/ 4200 Smith School Road Austin Texas 78744 * PH: 512-389-4667 * FAX: 512-389-4450 * cecilia@passporttotexas.org